BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer As part of an effort to curtail homeless encampments in Livingston Parish, the Livingston Parish Council is considering a proposed ordinance making it a crime to camp on public property. The measure, which is similar to one passed about a year ago amid controversy in East Baton Rouge Parish, would fine violators or sentence them to community service. However, advocates such as Amanda Stapleton of the Northlake Homeless Coalition believe the ordinance could lead to even more problems. In June, Baton Rouge Airport introduced nonstop flights to Washington, D.C. But now airport officials say those flights are at risk of being pulled due to low usage. The loss of the flights could impact Baton Rouge's ability to track new nonstop service in the future and negatively impact the area's economy, the officials say. Baton Rouge Airport Director of Aviation Mike Edwards said the facility supports more than 4,500 jobs and generates $1.1 billion in economic output. State biologists say new upcoming regulations on recreational speckled trout limits are necessary in order to restore a population that has been in decline due to a variety of factors. Speckled trout, officially spotted seatrout, have been overfished since 2016. The rules changes have been the subject of tortuous discussion at the state's Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. |